Bio: Manes, Nathan B. (History - 1847)

Contact: Janet Schwarze

Surnames: MANES REDMOND TRACEY BUSHNELL BROWN

----Source: 1891 History of Clark and Jackson Co., Wisconsin, pg. 255-256

NATHAN B. MANES, of section 36, Weston Township, was born in Carnville, Somerset County, Maine, July 24, 1847, the son of Robert L. (deceased), of English and Spanish ancestry. The latter's father was a Methodist Episcopal minister. Our subject's mother, nee Mary Redmond, a native of County Wexford, Ireland, came with her parents to Quebec, Canada, when a girl, and after her marriage removed to Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Manes were the parents of nine children, five of whom still survive, namely: John S. Mary, now the wife of Peter Dercy, of Boston Anna J., the wife of O. H. Clapp, of Denver, Colorado Mina, now Mrs. Durlin McTaggert, of Pine Valley, this county and Nathan B., our subject. One son, William, lost his life in the service of his country, having served in Company D, Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, three years, and died in 1868, at the age of twenty-six years. Robert was killed while working in a logging camp, by a log rolling against him, in 1869, at the age of nineteen years. John S. was also a soldier in the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, serving three years. Nathan enlisted twice, but on account of his age was prevented by his family from going. David served in the First Wisconsin Battery. The father died March 13, 1886, and the mother June 30, same year. They emigrated to Wisconsin in 1856, settling in the village of Weston, now Pine Valley, two miles north of Neillsville. In 1856 they came to Black River Falls, where they lived until May, 1857, when they came to this county, and settled as above stated, and which was then known as Weston's Rapids. The Indians and wild animals were numerous, and our subject killed many deer, bear, partridges and other game, which constituted their meat for many years.

Nathan Manes, our subject, settled on his present place in 1869, which was then covered with heavy timber. He has worked hard, following lumbering in the winters and improved the farm in the summer. He was elected Town Treasurer in 1863, chairman of the Town Board in 1865, and has served as School Clerk twelve years. The latter position he resigned in 1889, and took a trip to the Pacific coast, traveling through California, Oregon and Washington. He was engaged in the sawmill business at Tenino, Thurston County, Washington, but was burned out, and afterward returned to this State. He has a fine frame house, built in 1870, the main part being 18 x 25 feet, two stories high, with an addition 16 x 22, one story, and also a wing for kitchen and woodshed, 16 x 24 feet. The entire building rests on a solid stone wall. Socially Mr. Manes is a member of the Modern Woodmen and K. of P. orders, and politically a Republican.
He was married July 3, 1869, to Ella Tracey, daughter of William and Laura (Nelson) Tracy, of this town. They had one child, who died in infancy. The mother died in September, 1872, and Mr. Manes was again married January 13, 1874, to Ella M. Bushnell, a daughter of Daniel S. (deceased) and Sarah A. (Brown) Bushnell. The latter lives in Columbia County, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Manes have four children: Mabel L., Birdie D., Guy B. and Katie, all at home.

1880 Federal Census--Weston, Clark, WI

Nathan Manes @32, b. ME, Farmer, Father b. England, Mother b. Ireland

Wife: Ella M. Manes @25, b. WI, Father b. VT, Mother b. NY

Dau: Mabel L. Manes @5, b. WI

Dau: Birdie D. Manes @3, b. WI

Son: Guy B. @1, b. WI

Other: John Pitcher @21, b. Germany, Laborer, Parents b. Germany